Philip Rivers on Hunter Henry: ‘He’s going to be an awesome tight end’

Hunter Henry had his best game as a pro on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.

The former Arkansas tight end, now a member of the Chargers, caught eight passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in San Diego’s 21-13 win over the Broncos.

Following the contest, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had some high praise for his team’s 2016 second-round selection.

“He’s awesome, and he’s going to be an awesome tight end,” Rivers said on Thursday, as pointed out by the Razorback Football Twitter account. “I’m very thankful. He has a long way to go obviously to even say this about him and Antonio (Gates). They’re different but I’m thankful, as we transition Antonio — as long as he’s going to be here, hopefully a long time — but to have a guy like Hunter coming in (is huge). I knew he was going to be good, but didn’t (realize how good).

“Gosh, he’s a heck of a player. He understand the game and he’s a complete (tight end) I would describe him as a football player. That’s the ultimate compliment my dad would say, if he called somebody a football player and I’m kind of that way, too. He’s just a football player and I’m excited he’s here.”

Henry is supposed to be the Chargers’ heir to veteran Antonio Gates, and the future looks bright at the position in San Diego. Through six games, the rookie has collected 26 catches for 310 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

During his three years in Fayetteville (2013-15), Henry accumulated 116 passes for 1,661 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. In his senior season with the Razorbacks, Henry was the John Mackey award winner, awarded annually to the nation’s top tight end.